From the dawn of time parents have been seeking to pass along to their offspring spiritual strength and enlightenment. This process is always lengthy, and never easy. Yet with perseverance and the blessings of God it can be accomplished.

In her book The Stay-at-Home Mom, Donna Otto states: “The only assurance I have of access to my children’s hearts is through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit.” Prayer is, without a doubt, the most unused source of power available to humans. From the moment your children are born you can begin to pray ten special prayers that will follow them every day of their lives and make a powerful impact on their destinies. Here they are, along with supporting scripture references.

Pray that your child(ren) will:

1. Know Christ as Savior early in life. Deuteronomy 6:13
2. Be caught when doing wrong. Psalm 119:71
3. Respect those in authority. Romans 13:1
4. Have a responsible attitude in relationships. Daniel 6:3
5. Be kept from the wrong mate and saved for the right one. 2 Cor. 6:14
6. Be single-hearted and willing to serve Jesus. Romans 12:1-2
7. Have a heart quick to repent. Psalm 51:1-3
8. Choose to honor parents. Ephesians 6:1-2
9. Be teachable and able to receive correction. Isaiah 54:13
10. Live by the Spirit, not the flesh. Galatians 5:16

If your have been praying these or similar prayers for your child for a long time and do not seem to see positive answers, don’t give up. Dr. David Smith, president of Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, believes that there is no statue of limitations on prayer. “Once uttered,” he says, “every prayer remains active. They fill the golden bowls of incense before God’s throne. When you pray for someone, that prayer stays alive beyond your life.”

Ultimately, every parent must accept the fact that God, in righteousness, does not force anyone to choose life over death. Yet God is merciful and patient, and desires all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) It is safe to entrust your child every day to God. In fact, it is the ONLY safe thing to do.